Coach Eddie Howe is improving as head coach - Photo: Reuters
And that was just the first title for the "Magpies" since they changed their lives in the hands of Arab owners from the 2021 - 2022 season.
"Slow buffalo drinks muddy water"
Only 1 title after more than 3 years of hard investment, if compared to Chelsea or Man City, it is not a remarkable achievement. Chelsea won the Premier League in their 2nd season under billionaire Roman Abramovich. Meanwhile, Man City won the FA Cup in their 3rd season after being transferred to the Abu Dhabi United Group, and they won the Premier League in their 4th season.
But "slow buffaloes drink muddy water", that is the situation Newcastle has to endure. It is very different from when Chelsea and Man City changed their lives in the early and late 2000s. Newcastle rose at a time when the Premier League had two giants with too much money: Chelsea and Man City. There were two teams regaining their powerful positions: Liverpool and Arsenal. Meanwhile, Man United and Tottenham still maintained some of their traditional strength.
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) may give Newcastle more money than the Premier League's "big six", but the improved Financial Fair Play (PSR) rules mean that "buying success" today is anything but simple.
Indeed, after more than 3 years of continuous investment, Newcastle still only owns a fairly good squad in the Premier League. According to Transfermarkt, the total value of coach Eddie Howe's squad is 606 million euros - ranked 8th in the Premier League, worse than Aston Villa (642 million euros) and Tottenham (846 million euros).
Reasonable shopping
That is an understandable number, as Newcastle has not spent any money on transfers this season. Including both summer and winter transfer periods, Newcastle spent 68 million euros on players and earned 90 million euros on sales. The remaining 22 million euros has helped Newcastle improve its income and expenditure books after 3 years of continuous spending. From January 2022 to the end of the 2023-2024 season, Newcastle has actually spent more than 400 million euros on player purchases.
20 years ago, €400 million would have been enough for PIF to build a "galaxy" at St James's Park. But now, that amount could only buy... 4 players like Antony or Jack Grealish. PIF is not short of money, but they can only spend moderately under the constraints of PSR. And to be able to spend more, their money needs to be spent effectively.
Three of Newcastle's first four January 2022 signings, Bruno Guimares, Burn and Trippier, have been hugely successful. They were also the ones who started Newcastle's win over Liverpool in the League Cup final.
In the next transfer window, Newcastle continued to be successful with Isak, Botman, Pope and Gordon. It was not until the summer of 2023 that they "pitted" the deal with Tonali - who almost received a 1-year ban after moving to Newcastle.
Liverpool lost the League Cup to Newcastle - Photo: Reuters
Persevere through hardship
That was the reason why Newcastle lost their breath last season when they had to compete in the Premier League and Champions League at the same time. However, the trust of the board of directors in coach Eddie Howe helped the "magpies" overcome the difficult time.
They barely strengthened this summer (selling more than buying), but they still improved by sticking to the plan they had outlined. Tonali eventually returned, while Isak, Murphy, Gordon, Guimares... all improved as expected.
The League Cup win is a milestone for Newcastle, a team that has been changing its life for more than three years. The Saudi billionaires certainly need more than that, but this is not the time of two decades ago. Newcastle will surely continue to progress, slowly but surely.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/newcastle-cham-ma-chac-20250318080603026.htm
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